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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Cinderella Man (2005) in Movies
Jan 15, 2018
Classic
Cinderella Man is one of those films where I ask myself, "Why in the world has it taken me thirteen years to watch this?" It could be the fact that I've never had a strong love for films based on true stories or that I'm all binged out on boxing movies. Whatever the case may be, I'm glad Movies 365 has brought this film into my life and now into my heart.
There's so much to like about the movie, I'm not even sure where to start. Maybe Paul Giamati giving the performance of his life as trainer Joe Gould? Talk about playing a fabulous role. He's brash and straightforward, yet full of heart. He's not a fighter, but will go toe-to-toe with anyone to protect the people he cares about. Outshining him, however, is a stellar lead performance by legend Russell Crowe playing man of the hour James Braddock. Crowe makes you feel this guy, makes you love him. In one of the early scenes where Braddock gives his entire breakfast to his starving daughter before leaving for a strenuous day of work, you quickly realize that this is a guy you want to get behind and root for.
In the same vein, kudos to Ron Howard for using the source material to flesh out the stakes. The story could have just as easily been about a man trying to get back into boxing, but he made it about a man trying to feed his family and survive. It's painful to watch at times, but necessary. If you're not the least bit inspired after viewing this film, I don't know what will do it for you.
Howard also succeeds with excellent pace management. Seamless cuts between fights keep the action fresh and the viewer engaged. You don't get a whole lot of time to catch your breath. The cinematics are shot in a way that's gritty and real, beyond fitting for the Great Depression era when the film takes place.
Other than me almost going hoarse from screaming at the screen so much, I can't find many flaws with the film (hiccups, nothing major). I challenge you not to love this film about an aging boxer that just wants to keep his family alive. I give Cinderella Man a 95.
There's so much to like about the movie, I'm not even sure where to start. Maybe Paul Giamati giving the performance of his life as trainer Joe Gould? Talk about playing a fabulous role. He's brash and straightforward, yet full of heart. He's not a fighter, but will go toe-to-toe with anyone to protect the people he cares about. Outshining him, however, is a stellar lead performance by legend Russell Crowe playing man of the hour James Braddock. Crowe makes you feel this guy, makes you love him. In one of the early scenes where Braddock gives his entire breakfast to his starving daughter before leaving for a strenuous day of work, you quickly realize that this is a guy you want to get behind and root for.
In the same vein, kudos to Ron Howard for using the source material to flesh out the stakes. The story could have just as easily been about a man trying to get back into boxing, but he made it about a man trying to feed his family and survive. It's painful to watch at times, but necessary. If you're not the least bit inspired after viewing this film, I don't know what will do it for you.
Howard also succeeds with excellent pace management. Seamless cuts between fights keep the action fresh and the viewer engaged. You don't get a whole lot of time to catch your breath. The cinematics are shot in a way that's gritty and real, beyond fitting for the Great Depression era when the film takes place.
Other than me almost going hoarse from screaming at the screen so much, I can't find many flaws with the film (hiccups, nothing major). I challenge you not to love this film about an aging boxer that just wants to keep his family alive. I give Cinderella Man a 95.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Phantom Thread (2017) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018 (Updated Feb 9, 2018)
Not a Fun Guy to Be With
Yet another reissue of the controversial 1999 movie, but this time George Lucas has taken out all the stuff with taxation and Jar Jar Binks in favour of fashion design... ha ha, I jest.
Daniel Day-Lewis plays an obsessional creative genius who throws himself completely into his work and is very demanding of everyone around him, and is occasionally prone to hallucinating dead family members (so perhaps this role was less of a stretch for him than many).
Initially this comes across as a slightly so-what romantic drama about the relationship between a powerful, privileged man and a much younger woman, with him as a manipulative user and her, essentially, as a victim, but it eventually turns into a dark and even slightly twisted tale of what it sometimes takes to make a relationship work.
Day-Lewis is good, obviously, but so is Vicky Krieps as the woman in his life; presumably it's only her obscurity that's kept her from getting awards nods as she is really as good as he is.
Probably not for everyone, but Paul Anderson's most satisfying and accessible film for some years.
Daniel Day-Lewis plays an obsessional creative genius who throws himself completely into his work and is very demanding of everyone around him, and is occasionally prone to hallucinating dead family members (so perhaps this role was less of a stretch for him than many).
Initially this comes across as a slightly so-what romantic drama about the relationship between a powerful, privileged man and a much younger woman, with him as a manipulative user and her, essentially, as a victim, but it eventually turns into a dark and even slightly twisted tale of what it sometimes takes to make a relationship work.
Day-Lewis is good, obviously, but so is Vicky Krieps as the woman in his life; presumably it's only her obscurity that's kept her from getting awards nods as she is really as good as he is.
Probably not for everyone, but Paul Anderson's most satisfying and accessible film for some years.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Hol' It - Single by Keyz Vango in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Keyz Vango is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and producer from Montgomery, Alabama. Not too long ago, he released an affectionate R&B tune, entitled, “Hol’ It”.
‘Hol’ It’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and chill instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B, urban-pop, and hip-hop elements.
The likable tune tells an interesting tale of a young guy who anticipates that his success will create distance within his relationship which he shares with his significant other.
Therefore, he asks his girlfriend in advance, before he travels overseas, to hold things down until he returns home.
“‘Hol’ It’ is an intimate and amazing bit of 3 AM Soul and belongs in the ears of anyone who loves modern R&B. Also, the song is an emotive slow jam which deals with ideas of love and loyalty.”
Keyz Vango was born in Alabama to a gospel music family and moved to New York as a child. He attended college for a while but dropped out to pursue his musical ambitions.
Starting out as a versatile producer and ghostwriter across several genres, he grew into the multifaceted artist he is today over time.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/keyz-vango-hol-it/
‘Hol’ It’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and chill instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B, urban-pop, and hip-hop elements.
The likable tune tells an interesting tale of a young guy who anticipates that his success will create distance within his relationship which he shares with his significant other.
Therefore, he asks his girlfriend in advance, before he travels overseas, to hold things down until he returns home.
“‘Hol’ It’ is an intimate and amazing bit of 3 AM Soul and belongs in the ears of anyone who loves modern R&B. Also, the song is an emotive slow jam which deals with ideas of love and loyalty.”
Keyz Vango was born in Alabama to a gospel music family and moved to New York as a child. He attended college for a while but dropped out to pursue his musical ambitions.
Starting out as a versatile producer and ghostwriter across several genres, he grew into the multifaceted artist he is today over time.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/keyz-vango-hol-it/
Praetorian: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Imperial Bodyguard
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A riveting account of ancient Rome's imperial bodyguard, the select band of soldiers who wielded the...
American Desperado: My Life as a Cocaine Cowboy
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Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated San Andreas (2015) in Movies
Jun 17, 2020
I remember the first time I saw this film - it was at a drive-in movie with my family and that was a whole experience. I thought it was bad then, but less so than I do now because the screen was so huge and you were pulled into it in a way that you're just not at home.
When I watched it a second time, my poor soul, I was slapped in the face with how atrocious I always knew it was. I am a firm believer that most every Dwayne Johnson film is the same. He's always the hero, the rescuer, the buff, tough, don't mess with me type of guy. I don't think I've seen a film with him in it where he's not that person and if you find one, let me know!
Overall, I think this film just shows the lack of diversity in his characters, but also that writing and having a thought out plot are just as important as cast and effects. This film did not lack in effects, but it definitely lacked in pretty much every other department.
When I watched it a second time, my poor soul, I was slapped in the face with how atrocious I always knew it was. I am a firm believer that most every Dwayne Johnson film is the same. He's always the hero, the rescuer, the buff, tough, don't mess with me type of guy. I don't think I've seen a film with him in it where he's not that person and if you find one, let me know!
Overall, I think this film just shows the lack of diversity in his characters, but also that writing and having a thought out plot are just as important as cast and effects. This film did not lack in effects, but it definitely lacked in pretty much every other department.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dolls (1987) in Movies
Feb 13, 2021
Plain and simple - Dolls is a belting 80s horror, overflowing with fantastic effects work, unsettling monster designs, and a fantastic cast all whilst having a sub text about how it's ok to still be a child at heart.
A complete shift for Stuart Gordon from his work on Re-Animator a couple of years earlier, but equally as bonkers. It packs in a fair helping of gore, but still feels weirdly family friendly. Perhaps this is due to the lead child character, played by a great Carrie Lorraine. The supporting cast manages to be a selection of likable, and equally unlikable characters. Highlights for me are the creepy but oddly wholesome, if slightly murderous, older couple who inhabit the house that the narrative takes place in, played by Guy Rolfe and Hilary Mason.
As mentioned, the practical work is incredible. The dolls' movements are kept hidden for a lot of the runtime, but when you see them in all their glory just over the halfway mark, the pay off is completely worth it.
Dolls is hugely memorable in all the right ways. A hidden gem of a horror.
A complete shift for Stuart Gordon from his work on Re-Animator a couple of years earlier, but equally as bonkers. It packs in a fair helping of gore, but still feels weirdly family friendly. Perhaps this is due to the lead child character, played by a great Carrie Lorraine. The supporting cast manages to be a selection of likable, and equally unlikable characters. Highlights for me are the creepy but oddly wholesome, if slightly murderous, older couple who inhabit the house that the narrative takes place in, played by Guy Rolfe and Hilary Mason.
As mentioned, the practical work is incredible. The dolls' movements are kept hidden for a lot of the runtime, but when you see them in all their glory just over the halfway mark, the pay off is completely worth it.
Dolls is hugely memorable in all the right ways. A hidden gem of a horror.
Albion: The Legend of Arthur
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